How important is agriculture to India?

The importance of agriculture to India can be summarized as follows:

1. Nearly 2⁄3^rd of Indian population directly or indirectly depends on agriculture.
2. Agriculture forms the backbone of Indian economy.
3. Agriculture provides raw material for many key industries like sugar, textile and edible oil.
4. Agriculture also acts as a consumer for many industrial products like tractors, harvesters, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, etc. leading to the setting up of these industries.
5. India's undulating topography, varied climate with sufficient sunshine, ideal temperature and two main growing seasons provide conditions necessary for agriculture.
6. India exports many agricultural products like tea, tobacco, coffee, cotton and jute that bring in the much needed foreign exchange.